Cosmetic application product, heated palette, and method for applying cosmetic agent to hair

ABSTRACT

Cosmetic application products, heated palettes, and methods for applying cosmetic agents to hair are provided. An embodiment of a cosmetic application product includes a palette having a heated body portion, a heating element powered by an internal power source, a handle, and a charging element electrically connected to the internal power source. Further, the cosmetic application product includes a charging base formed with a recess for receiving the handle of the palette, including an electrical plug configured to receive power from an external power source, and including a charge connector configured to transmit power to the charging element of the palette.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field generally relates to devices and methods forapplying cosmetic agents to hair, and in particular to devices andmethods for coloring hair.

BACKGROUND

Balayage is a coloring technique that was developed in France the 1970s.Balayage is a freehand technique in which the colorist applies the coloragent or lightener by hand rather than by using the traditional foilingor cap highlighting techniques. In the balayage process, a portion ofhair is lifted and a backing board is positioned between the selectedportion of hair and the rest of the head. The colorist then “paints” theportion of hair by applying the brush at a selected location, such asnear the scalp, and sweeping the brush downward toward the end of theportion of hair. As a result, the colorist may selectively colorportions of hair while, within the colored portions, the intensity ofcoloring may gradually increase from the root to the end. Thus, thebalayage process results in a natural look of sun-kissed hair.

While the balayage technique provides the colorist freedom in expressingcreativity and individual technique, the process of applying the coloragent or lightener can be time consuming as well as physically tedious.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide devices for facilitating theapplication of cosmetic agents, such as color agents or lighteners, tohair. Further, it is desirable to provide methods for applying cosmeticagents, such as color agents or lighteners, to hair that reduceapplication time and that reduce actions by the colorist. Furthermore,other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent fromthe subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Cosmetic application products, heated palettes, and methods for applyingcosmetic agents to hair are provided. An embodiment of a cosmeticapplication product includes a palette having a heated body portion, aheating element powered by an internal power source, a handle, and acharging element electrically connected to the internal power source.Further, the cosmetic application product includes a charging baseformed with a recess for receiving the handle of the palette, includingan electrical plug configured to receive power from an external powersource, and including a charge connector configured to transmit power tothe charging element of the palette.

In another embodiment, a heated palette for applying a cosmetic agent tohair is provided. The exemplary palette includes a handle and a bodyportion having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of thebody portion is connected to the handle. The exemplary palette furtherincludes a conductive heating element located in the body portion.

In still another embodiment, a method for applying a cosmetic agent tohair is provided. The method includes positioning a palette adjacent toa selected portion of hair. The method further includes pushing thecosmetic agent and the selected portion of hair against the palette withan instrument. Also, the method includes heating the cosmetic agent witha heating element located in the palette.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunctionwith the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote likeelements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetic application product accordingto embodiments herein;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the front of the palette of the cosmeticapplication product of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the reservoir of the cosmetic applicationproduct of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the charging base of the cosmeticapplication product of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIGS. 5-6 are flow charts outlining processes in embodiments of methodsfor applying a cosmetic agent to hair in accordance with embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely illustrative in nature andis not intended to limit the embodiments of the subject matter or theapplication and uses of such embodiments. As used herein, the word“exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.”Any implementation described herein as exemplary is not necessarily tobe construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed orimplied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background,brief summary or the following detailed description.

Techniques and technologies may be described herein in terms offunctional and/or logical block components, and with reference tosymbolic representations of operations, processing tasks, and functionsthat may be performed by various computing components or devices.

Embodiments described in detail below include devices and methods forapplying cosmetic agents to hair. While the process referred to as“balayage” is of interest and may be referred to specifically, thedevices and methods described herein are not intended to be limited touse with balayage techniques. Further, while color agents or lightenersare specifically discussed and described, it is not intended that thecosmetic agent applied to the hair is limited to color agents orlighteners.

The balayage coloring technique requires for lightener to process atambient or room temperature. When applying lightener at the nape of theneck and working up, the layers of hair on top of one another create atype of insulation that insulates the bottom portion of the hair anduses the natural body temperature to process. Unfortunately, the topportion of the hair less insulated and is exposed to cooler open air.Thus, the top portion of hair may undergo a slower lightening process.As a result, the top portion does not lighten as much as the bottomportion. While heat sources, such as a hooded dryer, may be used to heatthe top portion to accelerate the lightening process, this causes otherareas, such as the warmer bottom portion of the hair, to receiveunnecessary heat. Even worse, heat sources like hooded dryers cause thelightener to dry out. When the lightener dries out, the lighteningprocessing stops.

Herein, device and methods are described which allow for heat to beapplied to the color agent before application and/or to the hair and thecolor agent during application of the color agent to the hair.Specifically, as described herein, a heating element is located in apalette that is held by the colorist during the coloring process. Theapplication of heat to the hair can be performed as the colorist pushesan instrument, such as a brush, against the hair and into contact withthe palette. As a result, the color agent can be heated duringapplication and in a targeted manner to ensure an even end result. Asdescribed herein, the selectively heated palette allows the colorist toapply heat when needed and to use the heating element to mimic naturalbody heat.

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a product 10 for application of acosmetic agent to hair, i.e., a cosmetic application product, is shown.The illustrated cosmetic application product 10 includes a handheld,cordless palette 20 and a charging base 30. As shown, the palette 20 isresting in the charging base 30 in a charging configuration in which acharging element of the palette electrically contacts a charge connectorof the charging base. The palette 20 includes a handle 22 and a flatbody portion 24.

FIG. 2 provides an overhead view of the front of the palette 20 of FIG.1 illustrating a front surface 41, with the rear surface 42 facing awayfrom the viewer. The palette 20 has a thickness between the frontsurface 41 and rear surface 42. As shown, the body portion 24 extendsfrom a proximal end 43 to a distal end 44. The proximal end 41 of thebody portion 24 is connected to the handle 22. The palette 20 furtherincludes a first side edge 45 and an opposite second side edge 46. Awidth is defined between the opposite side edges 45 and 46. As shown,the palette 20 gets wider from the proximal end 43 to the distal end 44.The distal end 44 is formed with a recess 54, such that the side edges45 and 46 may prevent a section of hair from slipping off of the palette20.

The exemplary embodiment of the palette 20 has an increased thicknessnear the side edges 45 and 46 and a substantially flat rigid surfaceregion 47 therebetween. As shown, two spaced apart openings 51 and 52are formed in each side edge 45 and 46. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, thepalette 20 is provided with a reservoir 60 that may be selectivelyattached to the body portion.

As shown in FIG. 3, the reservoir 60 includes two posts 62. Each post 62is formed with an enlarged head 64. Cross-referencing FIGS. 1-3, it maybe seen that the reservoir 60 may be selectively attached to either sideedge 45 or 46 of the palette 20 by moving the reservoir 60 in a firstdirection into the plane of the drawing sheet and inserting each post 62into a respective opening 51 and 52, such that the head 64 of each post62 extends past the rear surface 42 of the palette 20. Then, thereservoir 60 is moved perpendicular to the first direction, toward theproximal end 43 of the body portion 24. As a result, the head 64 of eachpost engages the rear surface 42 of the palette 20 such thatdisengagement of the reservoir 60 from the palette 20 is prevented byprohibiting movement of the reservoir 60 in the direction away from thedrawing sheet without first sliding the reservoir 60 toward the distalend 44 of the body portion 24. It is noted that the same mechanism isused to lock the reservoir 60 in attachment to the palette 20, whetherattached to the first side edge 45 or the second side edge 46.

While the heating element is located under the front surface 41 andwithin the body portion 24 of the palette 20, it is shown in FIG. 2 andidentified by reference number 70. For example, the front surface 41 maybe transparent, at least in the surface region 47. An exemplary heatingelement 70 incorporates a resistive material or resistor for convertingelectrical energy to thermal energy. In certain embodiments, the heatingelement 70 may be of a thick film heater type. For examples, layers ofsilver and carbon and/or other suitable materials may be printed to formthe heating element 70 as a film. The heating element 70 may incorporateadhesive layers, insulator layers, and electric circuitry. For example,the heating element is electrically connected to an internal powersource 80 via circuitry. An exemplary internal power source 80 is arechargeable battery or battery pack. In the illustrated embodiment, thepower source is located within the handle 22. Further, the internalpower surface 80 is electrically connected to a charging element 82 onthe rear surface 42 of the palette 20.

The heating element 70 is intended to mimic body heat, and the palette20 is intended to be handled by the colorist without risk of injury fromheat. Therefore, when the heating element 70 is activated theapplication temperature, i.e., the temperature at the front surface 41of the palette 20 should be less than about 135° F. For example, theapplication temperature may be less than about 130° F., such as lessthan about 125° F., for example less than about 120° F. In certainembodiments, the application temperature may be less than about 115° F.,such as less than about 110° F., for example less than about 105° F. orless than about 100° F.

On the other hand, the application temperature should be high enough toincrease the activity of the color agent. For example, the applicationtemperature may be greater than about 85° F., such as greater than about90° F., for example greater than about 95° F., or greater than about100° F. In certain embodiments, the application temperature may begreater than about 105° F., such as greater than about 110° F., forexample greater than about 115° F., or greater than about 120° F.

The balayage palette 20 may further include on the handle 22 a controlmechanism 90, such as an on/off button, and indicators 92, such aslights that indicate whether the power is on, whether recharging isnecessary, whether the balayage palette 20 is currently recharging, orother desired information.

All of the electronic components of the balayage palette 20 may beelectrically connected, directly or indirectly, to a printed controlboard 84 for controlling the heating operation. In order to avoidunintended powering off of the heating element 70, the control mechanism90, i.e., on/off button, may be configured with a delay. For example, incertain embodiment the control mechanism must be depressed for aselected duration of time, such as three seconds, before the heatingelement 70 is turned off.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the charging base 30 is more clearlyillustrated. As shown, the charging base has an upper surface 31 inwhich a recess 32 is formed. The recess 32 is formed in the shape of thehandle 22 of the palette 20. Further, the charging base 30 includes acharge connector 34 configured to transmit power to the charging element82 of the palette 20 when in contact. As shown, the charging base 30also includes an electrical plug 38 configured to receive power from anexternal power source. The electrical plug 38 is electrically connectedto the charge connector 34 for providing power thereto.

In order to facilitate use of the palette 20, the shape of the recess 32in the charging base 30 is formed so that the palette 20 need only beset down generally over the charging base 30. More specifically, thecharging base 30 guides the handle 22 of the palette 20 into properalignment within the recess 32 under the force of gravity so that thecharging element 82 of the palette 20 contacts the charge connector 34in a charging configuration, as is shown in FIG. 1. As shown, thecharging base 30 may include a depression 36 for receiving acorresponding extension on the rear side of the palette 20 for thispurpose.

Referring to FIG. 5, a method 100 for applying a cosmetic agent to hairis illustrated. The method 100 includes charging the internal powersource of the palette in the charging base at action block 102. Further,the method includes preparing the cosmetic agent at action block 104,such as by mixing components. At optional action block 106, the methodincludes transferring an amount of the cosmetic agent to the reservoirof the palette.

The method continues at action block 108 with grasping a selectedportion of hair to treat. Then, at action block 110, the palette ispositioned adjacent to the selected portion of hair. The instrument,e.g., brush, is then dipped into the cosmetic agent at action block 112.

Application of the cosmetic agent to the hair occurs at action block 114in which the cosmetic agent is brushed against the selected portion ofhair and the palette. Further, the method 100 includes heating thecosmetic agent and the selected portion of hair with heat from theheating element of the palette at action block 116, during and afterbrushing the selected portion of hair against the cosmetic agent andpalette. Process steps 108-116 may be repeated as desired.

FIG. 6 provides an alternative method 200 that can be used instead of,or along with process steps of method 100 of FIG. 5. Method 200 includescharging the power source of the palette in the charging base at actionblock 202 and preparing the cosmetic agent at action block 204. Ataction block 206, a desired amount of cosmetic agent is positioned onthe palette. The cosmetic agent alone is heated on the palette by theheating element at action block 208.

The method continues with grasping a selected portion of hair at actionblock 210 and positioning the palette adjacent the selected portion ofhair at action block 212. At action block 214, the method includesbrushing the selected portion of hair against the cosmetic agent andpalette. The heating element of the palette may heat the cosmetic agentand selected portion of hair at action block 216, during and afterbrushing the selected portion of hair against the cosmetic agent andpalette. Again, selected steps may be repeated as desired to obtain thedesired effect.

Through the use of heat, the time required to provide the desired effectis greatly reduced as compared to conventional techniques. Further,greater uniformity is achieved as each portion of hair may beselectively heated, through contact with the heated palette. Also, asconductive heat is used, the color agent does not dry as quickly as whenheated air is blown over the hair.

As described, the device provides for convenient one-handed use by thecolorist. The reservoir may be selectively located at the desired sideof the palette, the on/off button is located at the handle and includesa delay to avoid inadvertent activation or deactivation, and thecharging base provides for gravity-assisted automatic electric contactwith the palette.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vastnumber of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that theexemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and arenot intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in anyway. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide thoseskilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing anexemplary embodiment. It being understood that various changes may bemade in the function and arrangement of elements described in anexemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth inthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cosmetic application product comprising: apalette having a heated body portion, a heating element powered by aninternal power source, a handle, and a charging element electricallyconnected to the internal power source; and a charging base formed witha recess for receiving the handle of the palette, wherein the chargingbase includes an electrical plug configured to receive power from anexternal power source, and wherein the charging base includes a chargeconnector configured to transmit power to the charging element of thepalette.
 2. The cosmetic application product of claim 1, wherein thepalette includes a first side edge and a second side edge opposite thefirst side edge, and wherein the palette further includes a reservoirconfigured for attachment to either one of the side edges.
 3. Thecosmetic application product of claim 2, wherein the first side edge andthe second side edge are formed with spaced apart openings, wherein thereservoir includes spaced apart posts having enlarged heads, and whereinattachment of the reservoir to a selected side edge is performed bymoving the reservoir in a first direction relative to the palette topass each head through a respective opening and by moving the reservoirin a second direction transverse to the first direction to engage eachhead with the selected side edge.
 4. The cosmetic application product ofclaim 1, wherein the product has a charging configuration in which thecharging element of the palette electrically contacts the chargeconnector of the charging base, and wherein the charging base guides thehandle of the palette into the recess to the charging configurationunder the force of gravity.
 5. A heated palette for applying a cosmeticagent to hair, the palette comprising: a handle; a body portion having aproximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is connected tothe handle; and a conductive heating element located in the bodyportion.
 6. The heated palette of claim 5, wherein the body portionincludes a first side edge and a second side edge opposite the firstside edge, and wherein the heated palette further comprises a reservoirconfigured for attachment to either one of the side edges of the bodyportion.
 7. The heated palette of claim 6, wherein the first side edgeand the second side edge are formed with spaced apart openings, whereinthe reservoir includes spaced apart posts having enlarged heads, andwherein attachment of the reservoir to a selected side edge of the bodyportion is performed by moving the reservoir in a first directionrelative to the body portion to pass each head through a respectiveopening and by moving the reservoir in a second direction transverse tothe first direction to engage each head with the selected side edge. 8.The heated palette of claim 5, wherein the body portion includes a firstside edge and a second side edge opposite the first side edge, andwherein the distal end is formed with a recess between the first sideedge and the second side edge.
 9. The heated palette of claim 8,wherein: the body portion has a front surface and a rear surface and isdefined with a thickness from the front surface to the rear surface; thebody portion is defined with a width from the first side edge to thesecond side edge; and the width of the body portion increases from theproximal end to the distal end.
 10. The heated palette of claim 5,further comprising an internal power source in electrical connectionswith the conductive heat element, wherein the internal power source islocated within the heated palette.
 11. The heated palette of claim 5,wherein the conductive heating element heats a front surface of the bodyportion to a temperature of no more than about 120° F.
 12. The heatedpalette of claim 5, wherein an on/off button is located on the handle toactivate or deactivate the conductive heating element, and wherein theon/off button is configured with a delay to prevent unintended poweringoff
 13. A method for applying a cosmetic agent to hair, the methodcomprising; positioning a palette adjacent to a selected portion ofhair; pushing the cosmetic agent and the selected portion of hairagainst the palette with an instrument; and heating the cosmetic agentwith a heating element located in the palette.
 14. The method of claim13 wherein the method comprises heating the cosmetic agent with theheating element while pushing the cosmetic agent and the selectedportion of hair against the palette with the instrument.
 15. The methodof claim 13 wherein the method comprises heating the cosmetic agent withthe heating element before pushing the cosmetic agent and the selectedportion of hair against the palette with the instrument.
 16. The methodof claim 13 wherein heating the cosmetic agent with the heating elementcomprises heating the cosmetic agent to from about 100° F. to about 120°F.
 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the instrument is a brush, andwherein the method includes sweeping the brush toward the end of theselected portion of hair while pushing the cosmetic agent and theselected portion of hair against the palette.
 18. The method of claim 13further comprising: mixing components to form the cosmetic agent;transferring the cosmetic agent to a reservoir attached to the palette;and placing a portion of the cosmetic agent on the selected portion ofhair and/or the palette with the instrument.
 19. The method of claim 13further comprising charging an internal power supply located in thepalette by positioning a portion of the palette in a charging base suchthat a charging element of the palette electrically contacts a chargeconnector of the charging base without mechanical connectiontherebetween.